Paul's Odyssey II #12 - Corinth (Part 2)
Part 2 of a 3-part study of the life and ministry of Paul. This summer segment will focus on Paul's Second Missionary Journey.
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Grace Church holds a Meet & Greet for those who are newer to Grace Church on the 4th Sunday of each month. Our next Meet & Greet will be held today following the service in CJ's coffee shop. It is a great opportunity to meet the staff and leadership of Grace Church and learn a little more about the church. It also gives us an opportunity to learn a little about you! Contact Leslie Booher if you have any questions ([email protected]).
Barry County Cares could use donations of the following items which will be distributed to folks in need in Barry County. If you can help, drop items off in the church office.
Toilet Paper
Paper Towel
Laundry Soap
Dish Soap
Shampoo
Conditioner
Toilet Paper
Paper Towel
Laundry Soap
Dish Soap
Shampoo
Conditioner
Wood Cutting on the Church Property on Saturday, September 28th, 9:00 am to Noon or whatever time you can lend.
Bring a chain saw if you have one and work gloves to help take care of some downed trees in the woods.
If you are in need of wood or have any questions, contact Ryan Hickey ([email protected]).
Bring a chain saw if you have one and work gloves to help take care of some downed trees in the woods.
If you are in need of wood or have any questions, contact Ryan Hickey ([email protected]).
Grace Church is accepting sealed bids (minimum $2,500) for a mower the church is no longer using.
2004 Simplicity Stallion ZT2561
25 HP
61" Cut
See Ryan Hickey for details ([email protected]).
Bid should be submitted to the church office no later than Noon on September 19th. Please include your name and bid amount on the inside of the sealed envelope with "Mower" written on the outside.
2004 Simplicity Stallion ZT2561
25 HP
61" Cut
See Ryan Hickey for details ([email protected]).
Bid should be submitted to the church office no later than Noon on September 19th. Please include your name and bid amount on the inside of the sealed envelope with "Mower" written on the outside.
Saturday, September 21st - Clarence & Ann Booth
Sunday, September 22nd - Nicole Orton, Ben Mater, Seth & Megan Noteboom
Thursday, September 26th - Tim Schilz
Friday, September 27th - Connie Neff, Cam Carpenter
Sunday, September 22nd - Nicole Orton, Ben Mater, Seth & Megan Noteboom
Thursday, September 26th - Tim Schilz
Friday, September 27th - Connie Neff, Cam Carpenter
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July through September our series is entitled: Paul's Odyssey II
Odyssey means "a long and adventurous journey or experience". It is the second of a three-part series about the life and ministry of Paul. The text for these three months will cover Acts 15 - 18, Paul's second missionary trip.
Odyssey means "a long and adventurous journey or experience". It is the second of a three-part series about the life and ministry of Paul. The text for these three months will cover Acts 15 - 18, Paul's second missionary trip.
We have been tracking the Apostle Paul and his team as they left Antioch in Syria and headed westward under the direction of the Holy Spirit.
Last week we looked at Paul's arrival and ministry in the city of Corinth, Greece.
We saw Paul walk into a situation that was just a bit over the top for him in every way imaginable. He was worn out, gun shy, and out of his comfort zone. But God was aware of this and brought a married couple by the name of Aquilla and Priscilla into his life who he stayed with and likely lead them to Christ.
Paul saw fruit from his labor as people came to faith and a church was born.
The Lord himself encouraged Paul, promised him protection, and provided hope by telling him that within Corinth were many others open to the Gospel.
Last week we looked at Paul's arrival and ministry in the city of Corinth, Greece.
We saw Paul walk into a situation that was just a bit over the top for him in every way imaginable. He was worn out, gun shy, and out of his comfort zone. But God was aware of this and brought a married couple by the name of Aquilla and Priscilla into his life who he stayed with and likely lead them to Christ.
Paul saw fruit from his labor as people came to faith and a church was born.
The Lord himself encouraged Paul, promised him protection, and provided hope by telling him that within Corinth were many others open to the Gospel.
We are not much different than the Apostle Paul. Good news and encouraging words tend to pick up our spirits and energize our soul.
Proverbs 25:25 [NLT]
Take some time around your table to talk about how you have personally encouraged someone this month...or how someone has done that for you.
Later, Paul wrote to the church in Thessalonica about encouragement as well. 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12; 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Proverbs 25:25 [NLT]
Take some time around your table to talk about how you have personally encouraged someone this month...or how someone has done that for you.
Later, Paul wrote to the church in Thessalonica about encouragement as well. 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12; 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Proverbs 25:25
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25 Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land.
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1 Thessalonians 2:11-12
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11 For you know that we treated each of you as a father treats his own children—
12 encouraging you, comforting you, and urging you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.
12 encouraging you, comforting you, and urging you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.
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1 Thessalonians 5:11
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11 Therefore encourage and build one another up, just as you are already doing.
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This short passage of Scripture really helps us to understand the historical accuracy of Luke's writing in the book of Acts.
Acts 18:11-12a
Here we learn about a guy named Gallio who was proconsul (a civil governor) of the area of Achaia.
Paul stayed here in Corinth for 1 1/2 years and it was a relatively productive and quiet time of ministry in which the Corinthian church was established.
Acts 18:11-12a
Here we learn about a guy named Gallio who was proconsul (a civil governor) of the area of Achaia.
Paul stayed here in Corinth for 1 1/2 years and it was a relatively productive and quiet time of ministry in which the Corinthian church was established.
Acts 18:11-12
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11 So Paul stayed for a year and a half, teaching the word of God among the Corinthians.
12 While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews coordinated an attack on Paul and brought him before the judgment seat.
12 While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews coordinated an attack on Paul and brought him before the judgment seat.
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People tend to say that church is a bunch of "holier-than-thous" or "hypocrites." A biblical church is a collection of people who are in process...making progress...and don't claim perfection.
Paul wrote about this in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 [NASB]
Paul wrote about this in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 [NASB]
1 Corinthians 6:9-11
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9 Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts,
10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.
11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.
11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
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Religion doesn't change a person's life. But a relationship with God can bring new life to a person, to a marriage, and to a family. One must repent from their living apart from God's authority and trust Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
We can understand the Gospel (Good News) in four words:
1. God created mankind for a RELATIONSHIP.
2. Mankind RUINED our relationship with God and with each other (sin).
3. Jesus came to RESCUE us and paid the penalty we owe for our rebellion.
4. Individuals must choose to RECEIVE Jesus as our Lord and Savior or slap His hand away and bear the penalty of our rejection of our Lord and our personal sins.
Romans 6:23
We can understand the Gospel (Good News) in four words:
1. God created mankind for a RELATIONSHIP.
2. Mankind RUINED our relationship with God and with each other (sin).
3. Jesus came to RESCUE us and paid the penalty we owe for our rebellion.
4. Individuals must choose to RECEIVE Jesus as our Lord and Savior or slap His hand away and bear the penalty of our rejection of our Lord and our personal sins.
Romans 6:23
Romans 6:23
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23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
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Because there was a new governor just installed, Paul's Jewish enemies thought they could bully the new kid on the block into silencing the Christian movement. They used a show of force and distorted the truth.
Acts 18:12b-13
Acts 18:12b-13
Acts 18:12-13
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12 While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews coordinated an attack on Paul and brought him before the judgment seat.
13 “This man is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law,” they said.
13 “This man is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law,” they said.
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The reality is that Judaism was a protected religion under Roman law and Gallio was smarter than they thought.
He ruled that what Paul was doing wasn't against the law.
The truth is that Paul had been presenting Jesus in a Jewish synagogue, teaching from Jewish scriptures, and claiming that Jesus was the Jewish Messiah.
Acts 18:14-15
He ruled that what Paul was doing wasn't against the law.
The truth is that Paul had been presenting Jesus in a Jewish synagogue, teaching from Jewish scriptures, and claiming that Jesus was the Jewish Messiah.
Acts 18:14-15
Acts 18:14-15
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14 But just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio told the Jews, “If this matter involved a wrongdoing or vicious crime, O Jews, it would be reasonable for me to hear your complaint.
15 But since it is a dispute about words and names and your own law, settle it yourselves. I refuse to be a judge of such things.”
15 But since it is a dispute about words and names and your own law, settle it yourselves. I refuse to be a judge of such things.”
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A famous Bible commentator, F.F. Bruce wrote “Gallio’s rule meant in effect that Paul and his team, so long as they committed no criminal violations, they continued to share the protection which Roman law granted to the practice of Judaism … It meant that for the next decade … [until the next emperor Nero reversed this policy] the gospel could be proclaimed in the provinces of the empire without fear of coming into conflict with Roman law.”
Acts 18:16-17
The meaning of verse 16 is that his authority was like a parent sending their kids to their room.
As they were pushed and shoved by the Roman guards away from the presence of Gallio, the crowd lost it. Many of the Jews were upset with their new synagogue leader, Sosthenes, who made the case against Paul. They were likely upset that Paul was bringing so many Jews to faith and were upset with Sosthenes for bungling their case and making them look stupid. Later in 1 Corinthians 1:1 we learn that Sosthenes becomes a Christian and was with Paul in Ephesus.
The meaning of verse 16 is that his authority was like a parent sending their kids to their room.
As they were pushed and shoved by the Roman guards away from the presence of Gallio, the crowd lost it. Many of the Jews were upset with their new synagogue leader, Sosthenes, who made the case against Paul. They were likely upset that Paul was bringing so many Jews to faith and were upset with Sosthenes for bungling their case and making them look stupid. Later in 1 Corinthians 1:1 we learn that Sosthenes becomes a Christian and was with Paul in Ephesus.
Acts 18:16-17
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16 And he drove them away from the judgment seat.
17 At this, the crowd seized Sosthenes the synagogue leader and beat him in front of the judgment seat. But none of this was of concern to Gallio.
17 At this, the crowd seized Sosthenes the synagogue leader and beat him in front of the judgment seat. But none of this was of concern to Gallio.
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Here are a few key takeaways:
1. Encouragement is a much-needed skill for today's world.
Hebrews 10:25
One author has defined encouragement as "The act of influencing or infusing another with renewed courage, resolve, or hope."
1. Encouragement is a much-needed skill for today's world.
Hebrews 10:25
One author has defined encouragement as "The act of influencing or infusing another with renewed courage, resolve, or hope."
Hebrews 10:25
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25 Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
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2. Transformation is evidence of true-life change.
Philippians 3:7-14; Hebrews 12:1-2
When we become a Christian, the Holy Spirit takes up residence within each of us. He is the energy source to be and live differently.
Philippians 3:7-14; Hebrews 12:1-2
When we become a Christian, the Holy Spirit takes up residence within each of us. He is the energy source to be and live differently.
Philippians 3:7-14
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7 But whatever was gain to me I count as loss for the sake of Christ.
8 More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ
9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God on the basis of faith.
10 I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to Him in His death,
11 and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,
14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus.
8 More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ
9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God on the basis of faith.
10 I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to Him in His death,
11 and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,
14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus.
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Hebrews 12:1-2
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1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us.
2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
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3. The Gospel is God's gift to humanity.
Romans 6:23
2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Salvation is a gift that people receive by the faith God grants them. We have the calling to be "gift-givers."
Romans 6:23
2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Salvation is a gift that people receive by the faith God grants them. We have the calling to be "gift-givers."
Romans 6:23
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23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
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2 Corinthians 5:18-19
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18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:
19 that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s trespasses against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
19 that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s trespasses against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
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